Author Archives: garyjamesfootballarchive

The 1970s: A Francis Lee Hat Trick

On this day (29 January) in 1972 Francis Lee netted a hat trick for Manchester City as they defeated Wolves 5-2 at Maine Road. The other City scorers were Tommy Booth and Tony Towers.

If you’d like to read more on the 1971-72 season then here’s a 4,700 word article on the entire 1971-72 season – a hugely significant season though one that’s often neglected. You will need to subscribe to read this and all other subscriber articles. Why not subscribe for a month and see what you think. Enjoy!

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The 1960s: Summerbee Double

On this day (29 January) in 1966 Mike Summerbee scored twice as Manchester City defeated Middlesbrough 3-1. The other goal came from Neil Young (the photo is of course Neil Young in 1971 at Maine Road). 1965-66 was an important season in MCFC history and you can read more on it in the following 4100 word article. This (plus all other articles on the site) is available to subscribers (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

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The 1960s: Law’s Expunged Six! 

On this day (28 January) in 1961 Denis Law’s six goals against Luton in the FAC were wiped from the records when the game was abandoned due to waterlogged pitch.  Manchester City were winning 6-2, and lost the replay 3-1 (Law scored City’s consolation). If you want to know more about the 1960-61 season then you can read the following 1200 word article. It’s a subscriber piece and if you want to read it (plus all other articles on the site) then please subscribe (see below).

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

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The 1960s: MCFC v Reading

On this day (27 January) in 1968 40,343 watched as Manchester City and Reading played out a goalless draw in the FA Cup at Maine Road. City had missed a penalty too! The Manchester Evening News reporter Peter Gardner was not impressed with City (see below report). A nice reminder that even the greatest of teams can have off days!

Peter Gardner’s summary of MCFC V Reading, FAC January 1968

The tie went to a replay and you can find out what happened next in the following 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!) on the 1967-68 season. This is available to subscribers, who also have access to all other articles on the site. As with most of the other features in my series on the 1960s it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

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Reddish Event Tonight

A reminder that I’ll be at the Reddish branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club tonight talking about the Manchester Corinthians and, no doubt, a bit about City too. It’s open to non members and the address and details are here:

http://www.reddishblues.com/index.php/2025/01/14/january-branch-meeting-3/

It’s always a good gathering at Reddish and I’m looking forward to talking about my latest book and the research/stories connected with that. It’ll be great to chat.

Save The Date: 5 March

I know there’s a chance of European men’s football taking place in Manchester that night but the event has been scheduled/timed to take that into account. On Wednesday 5 March at 5.30pm I’ll be doing a talk at Manchester Central Library. More information will follow nearer the time but for the moment see:

SAVE THE DATE! 5 March, 5.30pm: Celebrating the Manchester Corinthians

David Gaskell

I missed this yesterday but another Manchester footballing figure has died. Manchester United’s record-breaking former goalkeeper David Gaskell, has died aged 84. Gaskell was just 16 years and 19 days old when he came on for United, following an injury to first-choice keeper Ray Wood. The game was the first ever Manchester derby in the Charity Shield, played at Maine Rd in October 1956. He remains the record for the youngest player to make their debut for United.

He kept a clean sheet and United won the Shield match 1-0.

My thoughts are with Gaskell’s family and friends.

Here’s a report of the 1956 Charity Shield. Note they say Gaskell is 15 not his actual age, but he made history that day not just as United’s youngest player. He was also the first substitute in a Manchester derby. Substitutions were not allowed in competitive football but as this was a charity game and Wood could not continue in nets both teams agreed.

MCFC v Chelsea Today

For those lucky enough to get the match programme for today’s game at the Etihad my programme feature focuses on Tony Book and Denis Law. It’s not extensive as I’m sure they’ll also be featured elsewhere, but I wanted to make sure I made mention of them in my piece too.

City v Chelsea has been an important fixture over the decades with European semi finals played between the sides over fifty years ago for example. Many of these are featured on this website, so why not have a search around. Here’s a link to all articles tagged Chelsea on here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/chelsea/

1971 ECWC v Chelsea. Tony Book and mascot Paul Todd. Photo by Alan Jubb

A Corinthian On This Day

On this day (24 January) in 1969 the Manchester Evening News did a piece on Gladys Aikin and her role as the manager of the Manchester Corinthians. It was a piece focusing on a woman being in charge of a football team and did include one or two comments about ‘offside rule’ but was important in the wider scheme of things. Gladys’ story is told in my new book of course and her daughter Carol talks about her mum (and also Carol’s own time with the club) in this video, filmed at the Corinthians reunion last month:

Over the coming weeks and months. I’ll be talking at some events about them – including this Monday (27 January) at the Reddish branch of the MCFC supporters club:

JANUARY BRANCH MEETING

It’s free to attend and copies of the book will be available on the night. If you can’t make it but do want to order the book then I will sign all copies ordered below.

The book consists of 356 pages. It is illustrated throughout and you can order it below for £25 (including UK postage and packaging).

If you live outside the UK then please contact for details of additional postage costs.

You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account.

UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This will be published in late December 2024. This is UK only at £25 (incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

£25.00

The 1960s: Crossan Goal

Here are a couple of interesting photos of Johnny Crossan’s goal in the game I mentioned earlier today (24 January 1966; City defeated Blackpool 3-1 in the FA Cup). The number 2 is Blackpool’s Jimmy Armfield who does remarkably well to get up so high during the time inbetween these two photos being taken, even though he’s not able to stop the goal. I’ve not yet found film of the game but Crossan’s goal looks somewhat impressive. Here are the two images in sequence:

First of two shots of Johnny Crossan Scoring v Blackpool 24/1/1966 Jimmy Armfield is Blackpool number two.
Second of two shots of Johnny Crossan Scoring v Blackpool 24/1/1966 Jimmy Armfield is Blackpool number two.

1965-66 was an important season in MCFC history and you can read more on it in the following 4100 word article. This (plus all other articles on the site) is available to subscribers (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

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